Changes

Jefferson learned the art of politics by first serving in the House of Burgesses in Virginia (an early Virginia legislative system similar to what became Congress.)  Jefferson was a brilliant writer but a terrible speaker.  In fact, he avoided public speaking.

Jefferson learned the art of politics by first serving in the House of Burgesses in Virginia (an early Virginia legislative system similar to what became Congress.)  Jefferson was a brilliant writer but a terrible speaker.  In fact, he avoided public speaking.

Political parties formed because politics is a team sport.  Jefferson ran against the Federalists, and even started a new political party to defeat the Federalists: “Democratic-Republican Party.” Today both the Democrats and the Republicans can claim roots in Jefferson’s party.

Political parties formed because politics is a team sport.  Jefferson ran against the Federalists, and even started a new political party to defeat the Federalists: "Democratic-Republican Party." Today both the Democrats and the Republicans can claim roots in Jefferson’s party.

President Adams was badly beaten in a bitter election, called the “Revolution of 1800”

President Adams was badly beaten in a bitter election, called the “Revolution of 1800”

Jefferson and his running mate, [[Aaron Burr]], won the same number of votes and thus tied for president.  This reflected a mistake in the Constitution in how presidents and vice presidents were chosen, which had to be fixed by the 12th amendment.

Jefferson and his running mate, [[Aaron Burr]], won the same number of votes and thus tied for president.  It made sense that everyone who voted for Jefferson would also vote for his running mate, since both were with the same political party, the Democratic-Republicans.  But the inability of the election system to resolve the "tie" and reflected a mistake in the Constitution in how presidents and vice presidents were chosen, which had to be fixed by the [[12th Amendment]].  Prior to the 12 Amendment, Congress had to resolve the tie.

 

Burr was a bad guy.  As the grandson of [[Jonathan Edwards]], Burr had access and wealth, and a good deal of charm.  But even the even-tempered [[George Washington]], who got along with everyone, felt compelled to banish Burr during the Revolution.  Now [[Congress]] then needed to choose between him and Jefferson as to which would be president.

Burr was a bad guy.  As the grandson of Jonathan Edwards, Burr had access and wealth, and a good deal of charm.  But even the even-tempered [[George Washington]], who got along with everyone, felt compelled to banish Burr during the Revolution.  Now Congress then needed to choose between him and Jefferson as to which would be president.

Hamilton had fought Jefferson for over a decade.  But Hamilton knew how Burr was rotten to the core.  So Hamilton persuaded Congress to make Jefferson president.  Some suspect that Jefferson cut a deal with the Federalist Hamilton to act like more like a Federalist as president than he would have otherwise.

Hamilton had fought Jefferson for over a decade.  But Hamilton knew how Burr was rotten to the core.  So Hamilton persuaded Congress to make Jefferson president.  Some suspect that Jefferson cut a deal with the Federalist Hamilton to act like more like a Federalist as president than he would have otherwise.